Spiritual Deception

Jesus said on the Mount of Olives (Matt. 24) that deception would be the primary cultural sign of the last days. Even some of God’s “elect” might be deceived by false theologies. “Good would be called evil and evil good” (Isaiah 5:20). Men would substitute light for darkness and darkness for light. Apostasy would consume churches and denominations that were once solid.

I know that this article is going to upset many people who have come to love Jesus Calling. My job as a Christian writer is to speak truth. I have no control over the readers' reaction, but I must speak truth; and hopefully I will reach some Christians with this truth. I pray that this piece will help many to see that Jesus Calling is not a book that Jesus would have them read.

Jesus Calling is a New Age mystical book which Christians should completely avoid.

The "Emergence phenomenon" (or whatever they are calling it nowadays) is not Christian. Oh, many of these self-styled "emergents" insist that their "conversation" is the epitome of what Christianity is supposed to be, but the "movement" is undergoing even more drastic transformations, which now include its members celebrating Ramadan or having Buddhist monks instruct them on meditation techniques.

The seeker-friendly model was the brainchild of Peter Drucker. The concept of finding out what a consumer would like in a church has been a very successful way to get people to come to a church. At least for a while! This consumer-friendly model worked as long as sinners were not faced with the message of the cross, hell, and other convicting things the Bible teaches.

However, as everyone knows, trends come and go like waves on the ocean. The seeker-friendly wave will not last forever. This, of course, is predictable. Fallen man has had a spiritual void since the fall of man. Satan is more than happy to fill that void and has always had a deceptive plan to do so.

As far as NDEs went, I became fascinated by the fact that all these people nearly died or did die, and came back and reported the same thing. They all talked of beauty in another place or dimension, a tunnel, the light, peace. There had to be something to it, I thought! From the vantage point of today, of course I know these to be satanic deceptions perpetrated on unsaved people deluding them into thinking they are going to "that place", "into the light" without repenting of sins or knowing Jesus.

Since I am not in agreement with Christian dominionist language, methodology and/or conceptual framework, I will use this missive to give seven reasons why I am not a Christian dominionist. Some reasons are theological and some methodological.

1. The word "dominion" in Genesis 1:28 is not referring to the exerting of dominion over humanity.

In a recorded video statement released on Saturday, the Roman Catholic Pontiff known as Francis asserted that evangelicals and Catholics are one, and that it is the devil who has divided the two groups.

"Division is the work of the 'Father of Lies,' 'the Father of Discord,' who does everything possible to keep us divided," he said.

The eight-minute video was for the "Celebration of Christian Unity" event organized by John 17 Ministries out of Pheonix, Ariz., which seeks to unite Christians and Catholics.

If I were not a pastor, I would have a very difficult time finding a church. I find apostasy to be almost at an epidemic level in the modern church. Here's why it would be difficult for me to find a church: -

And so goes the slippery slope in the Seeker Sensitive churches. The Word of God becomes obscure — almost obsolete. Surely people know how to pack their church pews, right? They make sure that the name of Jesus is mentioned, at least a few times. But the main thing is that everyone has a good time. After all, we want them to come back!

The latest is a conference and book, both by the title, "Restoring All Things," by Warren Cole Smith (World Publishing) and John Stonestreet (Colson Center and co-host of Breakpoint). These authors join a host of other "restoration movement" authors and speakers who have become prominent in the last decade. Giving the benefit of the doubt, I am sure that the leaders of the movement are not motivated by a book-selling, speech-giving, royalties-driven heart. Rather, they are leading out of an honest-to-goodness desire for a better world.